Coralee Oakes is in the race without a party following the suspension of BC United.
"Following the suspension of the BC United campaign, I鈥檝e been listening closely to the concerns of my constituents, and the message is clear 鈥� many feel abandoned, with fewer options to represent their values. That鈥檚 why I鈥檝e made the decision to remain on the ballot as an Independent candidate. My loyalty has always been to the people of this region, and that will never change," Oakes said in a news release.
First elected in 2013 Oakes has served as a cabinet minister under Christy Clark's BC Liberals government and has had roles as shadow minister for several portfolios since the BC NDP came into power in 2017.
"As an Independent MLA, I鈥檒l be in a strong position to push for the priorities that matter to our region. Whether it鈥檚 ensuring better roads and infrastructure, supporting our natural resource sector, or advocating for better health care and mental health services, I鈥檒l continue to fight for the people of Prince George-North Cariboo," she said in the release.
Oakes said if the legislature is won by a thin margin, independent MLAs can be the deciding votes on major issues if elected.
She joins several other MLAs and candidates who were blindsided by Kevin Falcon's decision to not run candidates in this election.
The BC Conservative candidate for the riding is Sheldon Clare and the BC Greens have nominated Randy Thompson to be their candidates in the Oct. 19 election.
